Brake friction composite materials: A review on classifications and influences of friction materials in braking performance with characterizations

Brake friction materials play an important role in automobiles to reduce speed and to stop the vehicles. Advances in friction materials were updated to ensure effective performances in braking systems and to provide the maximum safety and comfort. Presently eco-friendly friction materials have been used as a replacement for conventional friction materials. Many synthetic and natural products were identified and claimed as better alternatives to banned toxic materials like asbestos and copper. Friction materials developed from natural products are eco-friendly and assure a great promise when applied in modern vehicles. To develop innovative formulations, basic knowledge of common ingredients and their effects in friction materials was needed. This review focuses mainly on providing detailed information about the common ingredients used, processing methods and the characteristics of brake friction materials.

BIOREMEDIATION: THE ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION TO THE HAZARDOUS PROBLEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Bioremediation is a technique to enhance natural biological processes to rectify polluted groundwater, soil, and even entire habitats. Bioremediation techniques use biological agents to act upon hazardous, toxic materials and subsequently convert them into less toxic substances. Microbes are organisms ubiquitously present in the biosphere. These microorganisms are the main agents that remediate toxic and polluted environmental conditions. Highly polluted areas can be rectified using proper bioremediation procedures and interventions. In this review we have studied the different bioremediation techniques which can be utilized to correct the harmful effects of environmental pollution. In this study we have also emphasized on the benefits of adopting bioremediation as an efficient alternative technique in comparison to the traditional physical and chemical methods to restore the healthy environmental conditions.

Anion Transport Using Core Functionalized Hyperbranched Polymers and Evidence of a Dense Packed Limit Based on Molecular Weight

Being able to bind, select, and transport species is central to a number of fields, including medicine, materials, and environmental science. In particular, recognizing a specific species from one phase and transporting it across, or into another phase, has obvious applications in environ-mental science, for example, removal of unwanted or toxic materials from an aqueous or organic phase. In this paper, we describe an approach that uses a functionalized dendritic polymer to bind and transport a small anionic molecule across an organic phase (and between two aqueous phases). The design was based on encapsulation principles borrowed from nature, where anions are bound and transported by proteins that have specific sites within their globular ordered structures. For the work reported here, a globular dendritic polymer functionalized with an isophthalamide-based receptor was used to replace the protein structure and anion-binding site. Along with control experiments, the binding and transport properties of two functionalized HBPs were assessed using a Pressman U tube experiment. Both HBPs demonstrated an enhanced ability to bind and transport anions (when compared to the anion-binding site used in isolation). Furthermore, optimum binding and transport occurred when the smaller of the two HBPs were used. This supports our previous observations regarding the existence of a dense packed limit for HBPs.

Kinetic evaluation of methylene blue decolorization by CuO as a Fenton-like catalyst

The presence of dyes in wastewater is one of the main problems in wastewater treatment. Wastewater containing dyes can damage the ecosystem because it can block sunlight into the water and is often accompanied by toxic materials. This paper proposes an alternative method to decolorize dyes in water using CuO as a Fenton-like catalyst, especially for wastewater contaminated by methylene blue dye. The Fenton method is an advanced oxidation process method with a radical group of H2O2 acting as the primary decolorizing agent. By measuring the concentration using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, we found that the proposed decolorization method effectively degraded the color of methylene blue. To understand the decolorization mechanism, we investigated the reaction kinetics of the decolorization process. We found that compared to the pseudo-first-order and second-order reaction kinetics models, the BMG model had higher accuracy and conformed to the color concentration degradation curve.

IDENTIFIKASI AKTIVITAS PERIKANAN MERUSAK DI TELUK SAWAI

Destructive fishing activities are fishing activities using materials, tools or means that damage fish resources and their environment, such as using explosives, toxic materials, strum, and other fishing gear that are not environmentally friendly (Marine and Fisheries Ministerial Decree Number 114, 2019). This activity still occurs in Maluku waters, including in Sawai Bay. The study aims to identify destructive forms of fishing in the waters of Sawai Bay and provide control recommendations to reduce the destructive fishing activity. The study was conducted in January-June 2020 in Sawai Bay. Data collection uses the purposive interview method, while the data is analyzed descriptively. The results showed that in the waters of Sawai Bay, three destructive fishing activities were identified, namely fishing using bombs/explosives, fishing using toxic materials and coral mining activities. Four control strategies are recommended as an effort to reduce destructive fishing activity in the waters of Sawai Bay in the future. ABSTRAK Aktivitas perikanan merusak atau Destructive Fishing adalah kegiatan penangkapan ikan dengan menggunakan bahan, alat atau cara yang merusak sumberdaya ikan maupun lingkungannya, seperti menggunakan bahan peledak, bahan beracun, strum, dan alat tangkap lainnya yang tidak ramah lingkungan (KepMen KP Nomor 114, 2019). Aktivitas ini masih terjadi pada perairan Maluku, termasuk di Teluk Sawai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi bentuk-bentuk penangkapan ikan yang merusak pada perairan Teluk Sawai serta memberikan rekomendasi pengendalian untuk mereduksi aktivitas perikana. Yang merusak. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada Januari-Juni 2020 di Teluk Sawai. Pengumpulan data menggunakan metode purposive interview, sedangkan data dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada perairan Teluk Sawai, teridentifikasi tiga aktivitas perikanan merusak yaitu penangkapan ikan menggunakan bom/bahan peledak, penangkapan ikan menggunakan bahan beracun dan aktivitas penambangan karang. Empat strategi pengendalian direkomendasikan sebagai upaya mereduksi aktivitas perikanan merusak di perairan Teluk Sawai ke depannya. Kata Kunci: perikanan merusak, penangkapan ikan, ikan karang, strategi pengendalian, Teluk Sawai

E-Waste Reporting in Malaysia – A Preliminary Study

Globally, the awareness of environmental sustainability is gaining prominence, and one of the critical issues discussed in this area is waste management. With the advent of the digitalisation age, where information may be retrieved with a finger point, the use of electric and electronic appliances has been increasing exponentially. The appliances contain components that are usually filled with toxic materials and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and brominated flame retardants that are considered hazardous under the Basel Convention. When these appliances reach the end of their useful life, the toxic components that are not properly disposed of will eventually end up in landfills, thus endangering human health and the environment (www.doe.gov.my). Unproperly managed e-waste will result in soil, atmospheric and aquatic contamination (Alabi, Adeoluwa, Huo, Xu, & Bakare, 2021). Furthermore, these contaminations posed a threat to human, animals and plants (Alabi et al., 2021). Within humans, exposure to e-waste will lead to health problems such as changes in thyroid function, respiratory problems, changes in temperament and behaviour, decreased lung function, DNA damage and cancer (Grant et al., 2013; Alabi et al., 2021). Keywords: E-waste, Reporting, Annual reports, Malaysia

Nutrition and Cancer Risk from the Viewpoint of the Intestinal Microbiome

There are various important factors in reducing the risk of cancer development and progression; these factors may correct an unbalanced intake of nutrients to maintain the living body’s homeostasis, detoxify toxic materials, acting as an external factor, and maintain and strengthen the body’s immune function. In a normal cell environment, nutrients, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are properly digested and absorbed into the body, and, as a result, an environment in which cancer can develop and progress is prevented. It is necessary to prevent toxic materials from entering the body and to detoxify poisons in the body. If these processes occur correctly, cells work normally, and genes cannot be damaged. The most important factor in the fight against cancer and prevention of the development and progression of cancer is the immune system. This requires a nutritional state in which the immune system works well, allowing the intestinal microbiome to carry out all of its roles. In order to grow intestinal microbiota, the consumption of prebiotics, such as organic vegetables, fruits, and dietary fiber, and probiotics of effective intestinal microbiota, such as fermented foods and supplements, is required. Symbiosis, in which these organisms work together, is an effective means of reducing the risk of cancer. In addition, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using ultrafine bubble water, produced specially by the Association for Clinical Research of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Japan, is also useful for improving the nutritional condition and reducing the risk of cancer.

UTILIZATION SPENT BLEACHING EARTH AS A FILLER OF MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION

Spent bleaching earth (SBE) is a waste from cooking oil industry. It is categorized as one of the hazardous and toxic materials, because oil residues in it. Generally, SBE is overcome by landfill and it’s sometimes become problems. Basically SBE contains SiO2 and the size of the grain is very fine, almost the same as the fine aggregate of sand used for making brick. In this study, the making of brick used SBE with several variations (2.75% - 27.52%) of the total raw materials used. Brick making methods are based on SNI 03-0348-1989 for raw material ratio, SNI 03-0348-1989 for molding and presshing, SNI 03-6825-2002 for drying and curing. The brick quality was determined based on fineness modulus parameters, dry weight, brick absorption to water and compressive strength. Brick contain SBE 2.75% was produced with molding size of 15cm x 30cm x 9cm, it has an average dry weight of 7.80 kg, compressive strength of 8.95 MPa and absorbing power of 1.26%.

Photorhabdus spp.: An Overview of the Beneficial Aspects of Mutualistic Bacteria of Insecticidal Nematodes

The current approaches to sustainable agricultural development aspire to use safer means to control pests and pathogens. Photorhabdus bacteria that are insecticidal symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Heterorhabditis can provide such a service with a treasure trove of insecticidal compounds and an ability to cope with the insect immune system. This review highlights the need of Photorhabdus-derived insecticidal, fungicidal, pharmaceutical, parasiticidal, antimicrobial, and toxic materials to fit into current, or emerging, holistic strategies, mainly for managing plant pests and pathogens. The widespread use of these bacteria, however, has been slow, due to cost, natural presence within the uneven distribution of their nematode partners, and problems with trait stability during in vitro culture. Yet, progress has been made, showing an ability to overcome these obstacles via offering affordable mass production and mastered genome sequencing, while detecting more of their beneficial bacterial species/strains. Their high pathogenicity to a wide range of arthropods, efficiency against diseases, and versatility, suggest future promising industrial products. The many useful properties of these bacteria can facilitate their integration with other pest/disease management tactics for crop protection.

Detection of scorpion venom by optical circular dichroism method

Various efforts have been made to detect minimum amounts of any toxic materials in water or the neurotoxic effect of venom (Odontobuthus Doriae Scorpion) in the human’s blood serum nerve by high-sensitivity, accurate, and low-cost sensors in order to enhance life style. Therefore, the present study was done to investigate reliability of two-dimensional plasmonic structure and circular dichroism (CD) in toxic samples in order to measure and determine venom concentrations and its neurotoxic effect on humans҆ blood serum Neurotransmitter analytes. Our results confirmed dependency of CD signal to neurotoxic effect of venom concentrations and good sensitivity of this sensor with the help of achiral plasmonic structure.