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Fulltext Dataset for assessing the efficiency factors in Malaysian ports: Dry bulk terminal

Rozar NM, Razik MA, Sidik MH, Kamarudin S, Ismail MR, Azid A, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105858.
PMID: 32637478 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105858

This research paper provides for the identification of dry bulk terminal efficiencies on the basis of 10 key performance factors in Malaysian ports. Data were collected from 18 dry bulk ports in Malaysia in 2017 through an online questionnaire and distributed via e-mail. The dispersion of the respondents corresponds approximately to the structure of the Malaysian maritime terminal in dry bulk. The data provides port management perceptions towards 10 variables that have been surveyed. Each perception assessed the level of efficiency factors based on a percentage rate of 100%. Efficiency factors in dry bulk terminals have been identified with varying characteristics based on a descriptive analysis table. The dataset presented consists of a brief analysis of all 10 variables involved, including the minimum, maximum, mean, interquartile median and standard deviation. In addition to the descriptive analysis, the normality test and histogram were also performed. Data can be used to measure ports-efficiency factors in another research.
Fulltext Optimization of Bokashi-Composting Process Using Effective Microorganisms-1 in Smart Composting Bin

Lew PS, Nik Ibrahim NNL, Kamarudin S, Thamrin NM, Misnan MF

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Apr 18;21(8).
PMID: 33919490 DOI: 10.3390/s21082847

Malaysians generate 15,000 tons of food waste per day and dispose of it in the landfill, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. As a solution for the stated problem, this research aims to produce an excellent quality bokashi compost from household organic waste using a smart composting bin. The bokashi composting method is conducted, whereby banana peels are composted with three types of bokashi brans prepared using 12, 22, and 32 mL of EM-1 mother cultured. During the 14 days composting process, the smart composting bin collected the temperature, air humidity, and moisture content produced by the bokashi-composting process. With the ATmega328 microcontroller, these data were uploaded and synchronized to Google Sheet via WIFI. After the bokashi-composting process was completed, three of each bokashi compost and a control sample were buried in separate black soil for three weeks to determine each compost's effectiveness. NPK values and the C/N ratio were analyzed on the soil compost. From the research, 12 mL of EM-1 shows the most effective ratio to the bokashi composting, as it resulted in a faster decomposition rate and has an optimum C/N ratio. Bokashi composting can help to reduce household food wastes. An optimum amount of the EM-1 used during the bokashi-composting process will produce good quality soil without contributing to environmental issues.
Fulltext Leptospirosis seropositivity and its serovars among cattle in Northeastern Malaysia

Daud A, Fuzi NMHM, Arshad MM, Kamarudin S, Mohammad WMZW, Amran F, et al.

Vet World, 2018 Jun;11(6):840-844.
PMID: 30034179 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.840-844

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that infects human and livestock which causes economic losses to the farmers. It has been reported as one of the causes of reproductive failure in cattle and other ruminants, determining abortions, stillbirth, weak newborns, and decrease in their growth rate and milk production.
Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the leptospirosis seroprevalence and to identify the predominant infecting serovars among cattle.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 420 cattle from six randomly selected districts in Kelantan was conducted. A serological test using the microscopic agglutination test was conducted in the Institute of Medical Research with a cutoff titer for seropositivity of ≥1:100.
Results: The overall prevalence of leptospirosis seropositivity among cattle in this study was 81.7% (95% confidence interval: 63.5, 80.1). The most common reaction obtained with the sera tested was from the serovar Sarawak with 78.8%.
Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies was found among cattle in Northeastern Malaysia. These findings urge that more studies are required to determine the reasons for the high seroprevalence among the cattle along with its transmission and pathogenicity of the local serovar Sarawak.
A novel biocoagulant agent from mushroom chitosan as water and wastewater therapy

Adnan O, Abidin ZZ, Idris A, Kamarudin S, Al-Qubaisi MS

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Aug;24(24):20104-20112.
PMID: 28702910 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9560-x

A new commercial cationic polyelectrolyte chitosan (CM), obtained from the waste of mushroom production, was examined using models of water and wastewater namely kaolin and palm oil mill effluent (pome). As it is biocompatible, widely available, and economically feasible, chitosan mushroom has high potential to be a suitable replacement for alum. Also, it can be a promising alternative to chitosan obtained traditionally from Crustaceans due to its higher zeta potential and homogeneity based on the raw material required for its production. A wide range of coagulant dose (5-60 mg l(-1)) and wastewater pH (2-12) were taken into account to find the optimal conditions of coagulation. The optimal doses are 10 and 20 mg l(-1) at best pH (11 and 3) when treated with kaolin and palm oil mill effluent, respectively, while 1200 mg l(-1) of alum was not enough to reach the efficiency of chitosan mushroom. On the other hand, the optimum dose of chitosan mushroom (20 mg l(-1)) at pH 3 of pome produced (75, 73, and 98%) removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total suspended solids (TSS), respectively. The significant potential of chitosan mushroom was proved by zeta potential measurement. Indeed, it possesses the highest zeta potential (+70 mV) as compared to the traditional chitosan produced from crustaceans. In short, chitosan mushroom as a biocoagulant is eco-friendly and it enhances water quality that meets the requirements of environmental conservatives.
Fulltext Separation and Detection of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using a Microfluidic Device Integrated with an Optical Fibre

Kamuri MF, Zainal Abidin Z, Yaacob MH, Hamidon MN, Md Yunus NA, Kamarudin S

Biosensors (Basel), 2019 Mar 14;9(1).
PMID: 30875829 DOI: 10.3390/bios9010040

This paper describes the development of an integrated system using a dry film resistant (DFR) microfluidic channel consisting of pulsed field dielectrophoretic field-flow-fractionation (DEP-FFF) separation and optical detection. The prototype chip employs the pulse DEP-FFF concept to separate the cells (Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) from a continuous flow, and the rate of release of the cells was measured. The separation experiments were conducted by changing the pulsing time over a pulsing time range of 2⁻24 s and a flow rate range of 1.2⁻9.6 μ L min - 1 . The frequency and voltage were set to a constant value of 1 M Hz and 14 V pk-pk, respectively. After cell sorting, the particles pass the optical fibre, and the incident light is scattered (or absorbed), thus, reducing the intensity of the transmitted light. The change in light level is measured by a spectrophotometer and recorded as an absorbance spectrum. The results revealed that, generally, the flow rate and pulsing time influenced the separation of E. coli and S. cerevisiae. It was found that E. coli had the highest rate of release, followed by S. cerevisiae. In this investigation, the developed integrated chip-in-a lab has enabled two microorganisms of different cell dielectric properties and particle size to be separated and subsequently detected using unique optical properties. Optimum separation between these two microorganisms could be obtained using a longer pulsing time of 12 s and a faster flow rate of 9.6 μ L min - 1 at a constant frequency, voltage, and a low conductivity.
Fulltext Biogenic platinum from agricultural wastes extract for improved methanol oxidation reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

Ishak NAIM, Kamarudin SK, Timmiati SN, Karim NA, Basri S

J Adv Res, 2021 Feb;28:63-75.
PMID: 33364046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.06.025

Platinum is the most commonly used catalyst in fuel cell application. However, platinum is very expensive, thus limits the commercialisation of fuel cell system due to the cost factor. This study introduces a biosynthesis platinum from plant extracts that can reduce the cost of platinum production compared to the conventional method and the hazardous during the production of the catalyst. The biogenic platinum was tested on a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell. Advanced biogenic of Pt nano-cluster was synthesized through a novel and facile of one-pot synthesis bio-reduction derived from natural source in the form of plant extracts as reducing agent. Several selected plant extracts drawn from agricultural waste such as banana peel, pineapple peels and sugarcane bagasse extracts were comparatively evaluated on the ability of phytochemical sources of polyphenols rich for the development of single-step synthesis for Pt NPs. Notably, the biogenic Pt NPs from sugar cane bagasse has superior electro-catalytic activity, the enhanced utilization efficiency of Pt and appreciable stability towards methanol oxidation reaction, whose ECSA value approximates 94.58 m2g-1, mass activity/specific activity (398.20 mAmg-1/0.8471 mA/cm2Pt) which greater than commercial Pt black (158.12 mAmg-1/1.41 mA/cm2Pt).
Fulltext Leptospirosis and Workplace Environmental Risk Factors among Cattle Farmers in Northeastern Malaysia

Daud AB, Mohd Fuzi NMH, Wan Mohammad WMZ, Amran F, Ismail N, Arshad MM, et al.

Int J Occup Environ Med, 2018 04;9(2):88-96.
PMID: 29667646 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2018.1164

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonosis and its occurrence has been reported to be rising globally. The environment plays an important role in the survival of Leptospira and determines the risk of infection. Those who were exposed to and had contact with contaminated environment through their occupational, recreational and other activities can be infected with the organism.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among cattle farmers, prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira, and the workplace environmental risk factors for leptospirosis among cattle farmers in northeastern Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 120 cattle farmers was conducted. The participants answered an interviewer-guided questionnaire that consisted of sociodemographic and workplace environment characteristics questionnaire, before having their blood sample taken for microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Seropositivity was determined using a cut-off titer of ≥1:100. 248 environmental samples were also collected from the cattle farms for polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies was 72.5% (95% CI 63.5% to 80.1%) and the prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in the cattle farms environment was 12.1% (95% CI 8.4% to 17.0%). The independent factors associated with seropositivity of leptospirosis among cattle farmers were positive pathogenic Leptospira in the environment (Adj OR 5.90, 95% CI 1.34 to 26.01) and presence of garbage dumping in the farm (Adj OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.02 to 5.65).
CONCLUSION: Preventing leptospirosis incidence among cattle farmers necessitates changes in work environment. Identifying modifiable factors may also contribute to the reduction of infection.
Fulltext Mechanical Performance and Applications of CNTs Reinforced Polymer Composites-A Review

Nurazzi NM, Sabaruddin FA, Harussani MM, Kamarudin SH, Rayung M, Asyraf MRM, et al.

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Aug 26;11(9).
PMID: 34578502 DOI: 10.3390/nano11092186

Developments in the synthesis and scalable manufacturing of carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in the polymer material industry over the last few decades, resulting in a series of fascinating multifunctional composites used in fields ranging from portable electronic devices, entertainment and sports to the military, aerospace, and automotive sectors. CNTs offer good thermal and electrical properties, as well as a low density and a high Young's modulus, making them suitable nanofillers for polymer composites. As mechanical reinforcements for structural applications CNTs are unique due to their nano-dimensions and size, as well as their incredible strength. Although a large number of studies have been conducted on these novel materials, there have only been a few reviews published on their mechanical performance in polymer composites. As a result, in this review we have covered some of the key application factors as well as the mechanical properties of CNTs-reinforced polymer composites. Finally, the potential uses of CNTs hybridised with polymer composites reinforced with natural fibres such as kenaf fibre, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre, bamboo fibre, and sugar palm fibre have been highlighted.
Fulltext A Review on Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite for Bullet Proof and Ballistic Applications

Nurazzi NM, Asyraf MRM, Khalina A, Abdullah N, Aisyah HA, Rafiqah SA, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Feb 22;13(4).
PMID: 33671599 DOI: 10.3390/polym13040646

Even though natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) have been widely used in automotive and building industries, there is still a room to promote them to high-level structural applications such as primary structural component specifically for bullet proof and ballistic applications. The promising performance of Kevlar fabrics and aramid had widely implemented in numerous ballistic and bullet proof applications including for bullet proof helmets, vest, and other armor parts provides an acceptable range of protection to soldiers. However, disposal of used Kevlar products would affect the disruption of the ecosystem and pollutes the environment. Replacing the current Kevlar fabric and aramid in the protective equipment with natural fibers with enhanced kinetic energy absorption and dissipation has been significant effort to upgrade the ballistic performance of the composite structure with green and renewable resources. The vast availability, low cost and ease of manufacturing of natural fibers have grasped the attention of researchers around the globe in order to study them in heavy armory equipment and high durable products. The possibility in enhancement of natural fiber's mechanical properties has led the extension of research studies toward the application of NFRPCs for structural and ballistic applications. Hence, this article established a state-of-the-art review on the influence of utilizing various natural fibers as an alternative material to Kevlar fabric for armor structure system. The article also focuses on the effect of layering and sequencing of natural fiber fabric in the composites to advance the current armor structure system.
Fulltext A Review on Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Natural Fiber Polymer Composites for Structural Applications

Nurazzi NM, Asyraf MRM, Athiyah SF, Shazleen SS, Rafiqah SA, Harussani MM, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Jun 30;13(13).
PMID: 34209030 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132170

In the field of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites, there has been a recent surge in research and innovation for structural applications. To expand the strengths and applications of this category of materials, significant effort was put into improving their mechanical properties. Hybridization is a designed technique for fiber-reinforced composite materials that involves combining two or more fibers of different groups within a single matrix to manipulate the desired properties. They may be made from a mix of natural and synthetic fibers, synthetic and synthetic fibers, or natural fiber and carbonaceous materials. Owing to their diverse properties, hybrid natural fiber composite materials are manufactured from a variety of materials, including rubber, elastomer, metal, ceramics, glasses, and plants, which come in composite, sandwich laminate, lattice, and segmented shapes. Hybrid composites have a wide range of uses, including in aerospace interiors, naval, civil building, industrial, and sporting goods. This study intends to provide a summary of the factors that contribute to natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites' mechanical and structural failure as well as overview the details and developments that have been achieved with the composites.

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