Displaying publications 161 - 180 of 541 in total

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  1. Strain EMA, Alexander KA, Kienker S, Morris R, Jarvis R, Coleman R, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Mar 25;658:1293-1305.
    PMID: 30677991 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.285
    Marine harbours are the focus of a diverse range of activities and subject to multiple anthropogenically induced pressures. Support for environmental management options aimed at improving degraded harbours depends on understanding the factors which influence people's perceptions of harbour environments. We used an online survey, across 12 harbours, to assess sources of variation people's perceptions of harbour health and ecological engineering. We tested the hypotheses: 1) people living near impacted harbours would consider their environment to be more unhealthy and degraded, be more concerned about the environment and supportive of and willing to pay for ecological engineering relative to those living by less impacted harbours, and 2) people with greater connectedness to the harbour would be more concerned about and have greater perceived knowledge of the environment, and be more supportive of, knowledgeable about and willing to pay for ecological engineering, than those with less connectedness. Across twelve locations, the levels of degradation and modification by artificial structures were lower and the concern and knowledge about the environment and ecological engineering were greater in the six Australasian and American than the six European and Asian harbours surveyed. We found that people's perception of harbours as healthy or degraded, but not their concern for the environment, reflected the degree to which harbours were impacted. There was a positive relationship between the percentage of shoreline modified and the extent of support for and people's willingness to pay indirect costs for ecological engineering. At the individual level, measures of connectedness to the harbour environment were good predictors of concern for and perceived knowledge about the environment but not support for and perceived knowledge about ecological engineering. To make informed decisions, it is important that people are empowered with sufficient knowledge of the environmental issues facing their harbour and ecological engineering options.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  2. Aisyah HA, Paridah MT, Sapuan SM, Ilyas RA, Khalina A, Nurazzi NM, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Feb 02;13(3).
    PMID: 33540731 DOI: 10.3390/polym13030471
    Over the last decade, the progressive application of natural fibres in polymer composites has had a major effect in alleviating environmental impacts. Recently, there is a growing interest in the development of green materials in a woven form by utilising natural fibres from lignocellulosic materials for many applications such as structural, non-structural composites, household utilities, automobile parts, aerospace components, flooring, and ballistic materials. Woven materials are one of the most promising materials for substituting or hybridising with synthetic polymeric materials in the production of natural fibre polymer composites (NFPCs). These woven materials are flexible, able to be tailored to the specific needs and have better mechanical properties due to their weaving structures. Seeing that the potential advantages of woven materials in the fabrication of NFPC, this paper presents a detailed review of studies related to woven materials. A variety of factors that influence the properties of the resultant woven NFRC such as yarn characteristics, fabric properties as well as manufacturing parameters were discussed. Past and current research efforts on the development of woven NFPCs from various polymer matrices including polypropylene, polylactic acid, epoxy and polyester and the properties of the resultant composites were also compiled. Last but not least, the applications, challenges, and prospects in the field also were highlighted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  3. Billa, L., Pradhan, B.
    MyJurnal
    In this study a GIS model was developed and spatial analytical techniques performed to identify and select a suitable location for a waste transfer station in the sprawling suburban town of Petaling Jaya. The lack of a transfer station in urban centres of Malaysia has caused many problems and affects the efficiency of waste collection and disposal. With diminishing space for landfills and the increasing cost of solid waste management, the need for urban solid-waste recycling has become very important. However, finding a place for waste to be efficiently sorted before unwanted waste can be carried to disposal landfills has social and physical constraints. This study applies GIS techniques and analysis for site selection and identifies an acceptable area. In the model, environmental, physical and social constraints were taken into account, resulting in the selection of a potential area that is acceptable to the residents of the area because it is out of range of causing public nuisance and within minimum travelling distance for collection vehicles. The results show that the potential location for the transfer station should be in proximity of the industrial area of Petaling Jaya, allowing for the possible sale of recyclable materials to local industries. The location is also sited near a major highway to allow quick transportation of the rest of the unwanted waste to the landfill.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  4. Ahmad Faizal Ahmad Fuad, Mohd Sharifuddin Ahmad, Saharuddin Abdul Hamid
    MyJurnal
    Maritime transportation is very important for coastal state country like Malaysia. However, as having the busiest straits in the world, Malaysia is continuously exposed to the risk of marine spill. The nation had experienced around 30 marine spill incidents since 1976 to the present. The main contributor of marine spill is ship’s accident and in term of category of accident, collision had contributed the most. In term of type of substance that mostly spilled by ships is highly persistence crude oil. The management of marine spill response of Malaysia is applying the three tiers system which is base on the area and scale of the spill. The basis of establishing the marine response service is in accordance with OPRC, which incorporated into the national environmental law. With the three tiers of response system, Malaysia is equipped with arsenal of marine spill response and control equipments. However, with the present magnitude of threat, the current capacities of equipments are insufficient. Nevertheless, the possibility of full magnitude of marine spill is unlikely due to the safety features incorporated into the design of the ships and FSO/FPSO. In term of claim and compensation for marine spill incident, Malaysia is applying the two layers of compensation under the CLC 1992 Protocol and FUND 1992 Protocol. Therefore, Malaysia is ready in various aspects of marine spill response and control.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  5. Stephen Ambu
    MyJurnal
    The global environment is in a dynamic flux due to rapid development. As a result of this, new
    diseases are emerging and old diseases are re-emerging in many parts of the world. Therefore there is a constant need for appropriate data for formulation of effective policies to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental degradation on human health. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 is a milestone that sets the direction for good environmental management initiatives and the success
    of this depends on good data. Malaysia currently has the Environmental Quality Act 1974 in place to
    control environment related problems. However good guidelines must be developed to keep the initiatives for good environmental management on course, for this we need good data. The Centre for Environmental and Population Health at IMU, coordinates research activities in specific thrust areas in an endeavour to produce important data that is required for developing appropriate guidelines for environmental health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment; Environmental Health
  6. Ghiasi, Vahed, Husaini Omar
    MyJurnal
    Shotcrete is a process where concrete is projected or “shot” under pressure, using a feeder or a
    “gun” onto a surface to form structural shapes including walls, floors, and roofs. The surface can
    be wood, steel, polystyrene, or any other surfaces that concrete can be projected onto. The surface
    can be trowel led smooth while the concrete is still wet. Shotcrete has high strength, durability, low
    permeability, excellent bond, and limitless shape possibilities. These properties allow shotcrete
    to be used as a structural material in most cases. Although the hardened properties of shotcrete
    are similar to conventional cast-in-place concrete, the nature of the placement process provides
    additional benefits, such as excellent bond with most substrates and instant or rapid capabilities,
    particularly on complex forms or shapes. In addition to building homes, shotcrete can also be used
    to build pools. The practice of underground tunneling shows that the degree of stability of tunnels
    is dependent on the state of the soil, rock mass, and shotcrete around the tunnel contour. The
    development in the urban or suburban areas leads to the construction of tunnels in all kinds of soil
    and rock. Meanwhile, the construction of tunnels in shallow depth or soft soils causes the ground
    to displace. The determination of soil and rock mechanical properties to assess the stability of New
    Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) tunnels and design the support system is one of the most
    important steps in tunnelling. This paper provides information pertaining to the safety and increase
    the stability of NATM tunnel before, during and after the operation of the tunnel. Therefore, the
    shotcrete process is a recognized method for cemented sandy silt stabilization, with the aid of high
    pressure shot concrete to increase the stability of tunnels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  7. Zainab Ngaini, Rafeah Wahi, Dayang Halimatulzahara, Nur An-Nisaa’ Mohd Yusoff
    MyJurnal
    Oil pollution remains a serious concern especially in Malaysia. Many strategies have been employed to overcome oil pollution. In this research, sago waste material abundantly found in Sarawak was used and chemically modified into an oil adsorbent . Sago waste cellulosic residues were modified using fatty acid derivatives. The capability of the chemically modified sago waste to absorb oil from aqueous solution was studied and compared with the untreated sago waste. The modified sago waste showed higher hydrophobicity than the untreated sago waste, implying that it is less affinity for water and also an excellent affinity for oil. This chemically modified sago waste would be the most suitable for applications where engine oil (i.e., Shell Helix HX5) is to be removed from an aqueous environment. The modified sago waste selectively absorbs the oil and remains on the surface and is to be removed when the application is complete.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  8. Yusoff, W. F. M., Sapian, A. R., Salleh, E., Adam, N. M., Hamzah, Z., Mamat, M. H. H.
    MyJurnal
    Stack ventilation in the hot and humid climate is inherently inefficient due to minimal air temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environment of a naturally ventilated building. Solar induced ventilation is a viable alternative in enhancing this stack ventilation. This paper aims to demonstrate investigations on the effective solar collector orientation and stack height for a solar induced ventilation prototype that utilizes roof solar collector and vertical stack. The orientation of the solar collector is significant as it determines the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the solar collector. Meanwhile, the height of the vertical stack influences the creation of the stack pressure in inducing air movement. Investigations were executed using a simulation modelling software called FloVENT. The validation of the simulation modelling against physical experiment indicated a good agreement between these two results. Analyses were executed on the air temperature increments inside the solar collector. A high increment of the air temperature resulted in the effective orientation. Meanwhile, the air temperature and mass flow rate of the various heights of the vertical stack were also analyzed. The findings concluded that the recommended orientation for the prototype’s solar collector is the west-facing orientation. It was also found that the higher the vertical stack, the lower the air temperature inside the stack would be, but with greater induced mass flow rate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  9. Mohammed Aliyu Modibbo, Mohammed Arif Shahidah, Isah Funtua Abdulkadir, Umar Wali
    MyJurnal
    This paper has evaluated the spatial growth of Bauchi Metropolis from 1976 to 2015
    through the application of Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. Various satellite
    imageries of the metropolis (Landsat MSS of 1976, TM of 1986, 1996 and ETM+ of 2006
    and 2015) were integrated; processed and classified using ERDAS imagine 9.1. The
    results showed an increase in area from 11.68km2
    in 1976 to 12.51km2
    in 1986 to
    32.44km2 in 1996, to 49.66km2
    in 2006 and finally to 89.23km2 in 2015. It is
    recommended that government should provide the required capacities for the use of
    Remote Sensing and GIS in planning for the growth of the town.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  10. Norhashidah Awang, Ng, Kar Yong, Soo, Yin Hoeng
    MATEMATIKA, 2017;33(2):119-130.
    MyJurnal
    An accurate forecasting of tropospheric ozone (O3) concentration is benefi-
    cial for strategic planning of air quality. In this study, various forecasting techniques are
    used to forecast the daily maximum O3 concentration levels at a monitoring station
    in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated movingaverage
    (ARIMA) approach and three types of neural network models, namely, backpropagation
    neural network, Elman recurrent neural network and radial basis function
    neural network are considered. The daily maximum data, spanning from 1 January
    2011 to 7 August 2011, was obtained from the Department of Environment, Malaysia.
    The performance of the four methods in forecasting future values of ozone concentrations
    is evaluated based on three criteria, which are root mean square error (RMSE),
    mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The findings
    show that the Box-Jenkins approach outperformed the artificial neural network
    methods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  11. Ali Ghahraei, Nurul Amziah Md Yunus, Izhal Abdul Halin, Nasri Sulaiman
    MyJurnal
    Controlled humidity environment is of significance in many scientific researches and experiments. In most laboratory-scale atmospheric chambers, an electrical temperature-based control system is used to adjust humidity. Since these chambers are not affordable in every laboratory, other low cost chambers using nitrogen gas or silica gel are used to adjust humidity. In this paper, a mechanism was developed to control the relative humidity in closed lab-scale chambers. Humidification is done by spraying water through a blower fan while de-humidification is by pumping air through silica gel as well as nitrogen gas injection. A Mamdani type fuzzy controller was designed to control the components and relative humidity. The results show the proposed system and controller can adjust and maintain relative humidity from 41% to 100% with maximum overshoot of 1% and the maximum range of error of steady state of 1.2 %.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment, Controlled
  12. Ng PKL, Ng PYC
    Zookeys, 2018.
    PMID: 29872365 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.760.24787
    Seven species of freshwater crabs from three families are recorded from and around the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo: Thelphusula capillodigitussp. n., Thelphusula dicerophilus Ng & Stuebing, 1990, Arachnothelphusa terrapes Ng, 1991, Terrathelphusa secula Ng & Tan, 2015, Parathelphusa valida Ng & Goh, 1987 (new record) (Gecarcinucidae); Isolapotamon ingeri Ng & Tan, 1998 (Potamidae); and Geosesarma danumense Ng, 2002 (Sesarmidae). The new species of Thelphusula Bott, 1979, can be distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of morphological features, most notably the presence of dense patches of short setae on the fingers of the adult male chelipeds, as well as the structure of the male first gonopod. Arachnothelphusa terrapes is confirmed to be a phytotelm species. A key to all species in the conservation area is provided.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  13. Phung CC, Yong YZ, Said MAM, Liew TS
    Zookeys, 2018.
    PMID: 29988791 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.769.25571
    This paper presents the first land snail species checklist for Gunung Kuang (Kuang Hill), a limestone hill located next to Gunung Kanthan that is recognised as one of the most important limestone hills for its diverse land snail fauna in Kinta Valley. Samplings were carried out at five plots in Gunung Kuang. This survey documented 47 land snail species, in which six species were identified as unique to Gunung Kuang. Approximately half of the land snails from Gunung Kanthan were found in Gunung Kuang. In addition, one of six unique species from Gunung Kanthan was also found in Gunung Kuang. These rich land snail species in Gunung Kuang are similar to other hills in Kinta Valley, but it is relatively lesser than the adjacent Gunung Kanthan. In view of Gunung Kuang's unique land snail species, and its location closest to disturbed Gunung Kanthan, Gunung Kuang should be considered in the conservation management plan for Gunung Kanthan.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  14. Farzin A, Ibrahim R, Madon Z, Basri H
    Dement Neuropsychol, 2018 7 11;12(2):189-195.
    PMID: 29988335 DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642018dn12-020012
    The surrounding circumstances and environments of Malaysian older adults could make conducting interventions (mainly in terms of clinical or randomized controlled trials) a challenge. Working with older adults and facing cultural issues could be challenging.

    Objective: This paper illustrates a significant perspective of some of the challenges faced while conducting a randomized controlled trial exploring the impact of a multi-component intervention that included strategy- and process-based prospective memory (PM) training among Malaysian older adults.

    Methods: The current study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and therefore the challenges were presented in accordance with the CONSORT statement style.

    Results: A discussion on how these issues were addressed is provided.

    Conclusion: Some suggestions were presented to help researchers plan and create interventions for similar studies and to support a practical method of addressing all related challenges.

    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  15. Mohd Mahathir Suhaimi Shamsuri, Leman, A.M., Azian Hariri, Azizi Afandi
    MyJurnal
    The cultivation of indoor plants in indoor environment has become a topic of interest among researchers worldwide for its
    potential to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). However, the adaptations of environmental factor of each plant need to be investigated
    to correspond with the native environment. The study investigate the capability of plants selected to live indoor. Before experiment was
    conducted, all plants selected were assimilated with indoor environment for two months. Photosynthesis proses in this experiment will
    be a guidance to determine the comparative for every plant. The portable photosynthesis system equipment (LI-COR 6400) was used to
    determine the level of photosynthesis rate for each of plants. Accordingly, among of all plants tested, Spider Plant showed less effective
    to be grown with indoor environment by the rate of photosynthesis value up to -0.15. Moreover, light compensation point (LCP) of
    Spider Plant also indicated the light intensity consumption was 2960 lux which is extremely higher than 300 lux. As a conclusion, only
    six plants in this study which are Anthurium, Dumb Cane, Golden Pothos, Kadaka Fern, Prayer Plant, and Syngonium are able to
    survive with indoor environment. In the next stage of study, this six plants may give good results to enhance the IAQ.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  16. Fan YV, Klemeš JJ, Perry S, Lee CT
    J Environ Manage, 2019 Feb 01;231:352-363.
    PMID: 30366314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.020
    Lignocellulosic waste (LW) is abundant in availability and is one of the suitable substrates for anaerobic digestion (AD). However, it is a complex solid substrate matrix that hinders the hydrolysis stage of anaerobic digestion. This study assessed various pre-treatment and post-treatments of lignocellulosic waste for anaerobic digestion benefiting from advanced P-graph and GaBi software (Thinkstep, Germany) from the perspective of cost and environmental performances (global warming potential, human toxicity, ozone depletion potential, particulate matter, photochemical oxidant creation, acidification and eutrophication potential). CaO pre-treatment (P4), H2S removal with membrane separation post-treatment (HSR MS) and without the composting of digestate is identified as the cost-optimal pathway. The biological (P7- Enzyme, P8- Microbial Consortium) and physical (P1- Grinding, P2- Steam Explosion, P3- Water Vapour) pre-treatments alternatives have lower environmental impacts than chemical pre-treatments (P4- CaO, P5- NaOH, P6- H2SO4) however they are not part of the near cost optimal solutions. For post-treatment, the near cost optimal alternatives are H2S removal with organic physical scrubbing (HSR OPS) and H2S removal with amine scrubbing (HSR AS). HSR AS has a better performance in the overall environmental impacts followed by HSR MS and HSR OPS. In general, the suggested cost-optimal solution is still having relatively lower environmental impacts and feasible for implementation (cost effective). There is very complicated to find a universal AD solution. Different scenarios (the type of substrate, the scale, product demand, policies) have different constraints and consequently solutions. The trade-offs between cost and environment performances should be a future extension of this work.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  17. Muhammad Adil Khattak, Nurul Syahrizzat Mohd Yasin, Hannah Natasha Andjani, Puteri Nurailah Husna Mohd Tajuddin, Sakeshraj Narajah, See, Zhi Fei, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Geopolitical risks will less affect the oil supply in the United States due to its stability
    and widespread oil sectors since 1970s. Nevertheless, energy prosperity in the United
    States appears differently in relation to a fuller period for conventional energy export
    states where geopolitical challenges have been intensified by monetary pressure and
    escalating energy demand in residential areas. The relationship between the United
    States and other energy export states will continue to change as the United States
    becomes more independent and non-OPEC resources become worthwhile especially
    in Western Hemisphere. With expansion of global economic growth, maintained
    multilateral relationship among countries and technological development are two
    prominent concerns to secure long-term energy supplies and to enable further
    exploration of new energy sources.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  18. Siti Zulfa Zaidon, Ho, Yu Bin, Zailina Hashim, Praveena, Sarva Mangala, Nazamid Saari
    MyJurnal
    Pesticides application is essential in protecting crops and increases their productivity. However, this causes the pesticide residues to contaminate the crops and their surrounding environment that will eventually lead to exposure to human being. There is very little understanding on the human health effects of pesticides, thus many studies are being carried out for this purpose. In conjunction to this, there are various analytical methods on multi-residue pesticides analysis that have been developed over the years in various samples. This review provides an overview of the reported concentration of pesticides, the extraction and determination techniques of pesticides in environmental samples and the potential health effects they imposed on human in Malaysia from 2007 to 2017.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  19. Nel HA, Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Hean JW
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Mar 10;655:567-570.
    PMID: 30476836 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.261
    The quantification of microplastics in environmental samples often requires an observer to determine whether a particle is plastic or non-plastic, prior to further verification procedures. This implies that inconspicuous microplastics with a low natural detection may be underestimated. The present study aimed at assessing this underestimation, looking at how colour (white, green and blue), size (large; ~1000 μm and small; <400 μm) and grain size fraction may affect detection. Sediment treatments varying in grain size were inoculated with known quantities of low-density polyethylene microbeads extracted from commercially bought facial scrubs. These microbeads varied in colour and size. Once extracted using a density separation method microbeads were counted. An overall underestimation of 78.59% may be a result of observer error and/or technical error. More specifically, the results suggested that microbeads varying in colour and size have a different detection probability and that these microbead features are more important in underestimation likelihoods than grain sizes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
  20. Azrul Ghazali, Sivadass Thiruchelvam, Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, Ahmad Kamal Kadir, Fatin Faiqa Norkhairi, Nora Yahya, et al.
    ASM Science Journal, 2018;11(2):117-123.
    MyJurnal
    Series of catastrophic floods that we have witnessed over the last decade in Malaysia have necessitated the adoption of reliable early warning system. Ultimate concern during any event of natural or manmade disaster would be information dissemination to lessen the disaster impact on lives and property. The Bertam Valley incident in the wee hours of 23rd October 2013 has been considered as the game changer of how we view the role of vulnerable communities in facing dam-related disasters. Empowerment of local communities has been considered as vital in disaster management, as they are often the first responders to disaster. Local Community-Based Early Warning System (CBEWS) is a smart mechanism operated by the communities. This study revolves around the actual implementation of such system in Cameron Highlands in the effort of increasing human resilience towards damrelated disasters. While establishing the system, the Bertam Valley community has received support from different individuals and organisations. It is paramount that the community develops and maintains close coordination and strong links with these stakeholders. The performance of early warning systems can be evaluated via key parameters such as timeliness, accuracy, reliability, user friendliness, flexibility, and costs & benefits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environment
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