A Narrative Review on Disinfection Tunnel for Covid-19: A Friend or Foe?

T The use of a disinfection tunnel has become increasingly popular to eliminate the Covid-19 on the body particularly during the pandemic, however insufficient attention paid to its effectiveness and safety. We undertake a narrative review on the disinfection tunnel and evaluate their effectiveness and safety. The keyword searches of Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, EBM reviews database and manual searches of Google Scholar and US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) was used. An analysis of the papers reviewed were categorized into three main themes: technical design of disinfection tunnel; effectiveness of disinfectant used; and safety or harmful effect. To date, no relevant specific scientific studies or evidence retrieved about disinfection tunnel for public usage including effectiveness and safety. We found a various designs of disinfection in the market today. It mainly originated from an innovative idea to assist in limiting the spread of Covid-19. However, current available evidence does not support its effectiveness and safety. Although it may lead to a false sense of security, this potential approach appears attractive thus creates an opportunity for further research.

Structural Equation Model on Factors Affecting Students Satisfaction towards University Library: A Case Study

Library in the university is known as the centre of knowledge. University library offers learning support, research requirement and also teaching materials. The objective of this study is to identify the most (and least) factors that contribute to students satisfaction towards university library. A case study on selected respondents consist of 266 undergraduate students was conducted. Their opinion on the library services has been recorded. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. Structural Equation Model was developed to display their responses. The finding concluded that online services and collections have significant relationship with the overall satisfaction towards the library, whereas facilities and library staffs do not have significant contribution to the satisfaction. As a suggestion, the library management should improve their service quality by upgrading the online services such as wireless access, library website service, and online book renewal process to mentioned a few, which might be effective in improving the students’ satisfaction towards the library.

Optimization of Lead Base Perovskite Solar Cell with ZnO and CuI as Electron Transport Material and Hole Transport Material Using SCAPS-1D

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) research is substantially drawing attention because of the fast improvement in their power conversion efficiency (PCE), cheapness, possibility to tune the bandgap, low recombination rate, high open circuit voltage, excellent ambipolar charge carrier transport and strong and broad optical absorption. In this research, Zinc oxide as electron transport material (ETM) and copper iodide as hole transport material (HTM) have been optimized using SCAPS-1D simulation software. The thickness, bandgap, of ZnO (ETM) and CuI (HTM) was investigated. Results shows that the thickness and bandgap were found to strongly influence the PCE of perovskite solar cell. ZnO/CuI was found to be a better replacement to TiO2/Cu2O for stability and low degradation rate. It was observed that the maximum efficiency is 22.04%, Voc of 0.84V, JSC of 32.83mA/cm2 and FF of 79.79% was obtained when the thickness of ETM and HTM layer of (CH3NH3PbI3) PSCs which was found to be optimum at 0.2μm for the final optimization.

Effects of Heat Generation/Absorption on a Stagnation Point Flow Past a Stretching Sheet Carbon Nanotube Water-Based Hybrid Nanofluid with Newtonian Heating

This study investigates the mathematical modelling of heat generation/absorption effect on the convective flow of single wall carbon nanotube-copper (SWCNT-Cu)/water hybrid nanofluid towards a stagnation point past a stretching sheet with Newtonian heating. The set of governing equations in the form of non-linear partial differential equations are first transform using the similarity transformation technique then solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF45) method in Maple software. The numerical solutions were obtained for the surface temperature, the heat transfer coefficient and the skin friction coefficient as well as the velocity and the temperature profiles. The features of the flow and heat transfer characteristics for various values of the stretching parameter, the conjugate parameter, the nanoparticle volume fraction parameter and the heat source/sink parameter are analyzed and discussed. It is found that effects of hybrid nanoparticles are more significant for lower stretching parameter and for large conjugate parameter values, as well as the heat generation/absorption.

An Assessment of the Potential, Suitability and Sustainability of the Sand Mining Site in the Kemaman River Basin, Terengganu Using Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

Sand mining from the catchment basin for building is a worldwide issue. The increasing demand for sand in the construction industry has led sand suppliers to look for alternative methods by which they can obtain source of sand from the riverbed. Floodplain and river slabs can be used as new sources of sand mining. In Sungai Kemaman, during September until March a high precipitation can cause high flow in river. This high flow can cause riverbank erosion which leads to instability of river. Therefore, river erosion can probably be reduced by identifying the potential area for sand mining. This research was conducted to analyse sand capability on floodplain and riverbed by integrating resistivity method and sediment transport loads using Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Resistivity survey is used in determining the availability of potential soil at the study area and the equipment could measure subsurface profile up to 80 meters depth. Meanwhile, ADCP survey is utilized to make river profiler in term of velocity meshes and riverbed depth. The primary data collected was from 20 January 2014 to 19 February 2014. The findings found that the samples trapped in the Helly-Smith grabber were majority of the samples consisted more than 93% of gravel and sand materials and from the resistivity analysis, it is verified that the surrounding materials along the Sungai Kemaman is sandy material and high potential of the sand mining site.

The Apparent Metabolisable Energy Values of Palm Kernel Cake as Influenced by Enzymes and Cocktails

This study was conducted to quantify the effects of enzymes and their cocktails on the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) value of palm kernel cake to maximise enzymes’ advantages. There were eight treatments, each with three replicates in a completely randomised design with T1 as control. The experimental treatments had Xylanase, Multipurpose and phytase enzymes respectively for T2, T3 and T4, and a cocktail of xylanase and multipurpose, a cocktail of xylanase and phytase, cocktail of multipurpose and phytase, and cocktail of xylanase, multipurpose and phytase for T5, T6, T7 and T8. The feeding trial was done using the intubation method. Gross energy values were determined with calorimeter while calculated AME values were subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Analysis System and treatment means separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results show that individual enzymes, apart from phytase, significantly (p>0.05) improved the AME value of palm kernel cake. Treatment T8 was significantly (p>0.05) better than the other treatments. Each cocktail was significantly better than its respective individual enzymes except cocktail of multipurpose enzyme and phytase that was not significantly different from multipurpose enzyme but significantly (p>0.05) better than phytase. It was concluded that enzymes and cocktail of enzymes could be used to enhance the energy content of nonconventional feedstuffs thereby serving as a replacement to conventional energy feedstuffs.

Proximate and Mineral Composition of Vegetable Salad without Dressing

Salad is a dish of raw vegetables with or without dressing. The study aimed to determine the vegetable salad's proximate, minerals, and daily percentage value without dressing to the dietary regimen. Vegetable salads without dressing were purchased and analysed to evaluate proximate and minerals analysis based on the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results revealed that vegetable salad without dressing contained 83.20 ± 0.10 moisture content, 16.80 ± 0.01 dry matter, 1.73 ± 0.14, 3.01 ± 0.40, 0.87 ± 0.01, 0.73 ± 0.00, and 10.50 ± 0.12g/100g as in crude lipid, crude protein, crude fibre, ash content, and carbohydrate respectively. Potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were 464 ± 3.56, 236 ± 2.45, 101 ± 1.63, 124 ± 1.63, 58 ± 0.81, 0.49 ± 0.06, 0.88 ± 0.01, 0.84 ± 0.02, and 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/100g respectively. The percent calorific values from carbohydrates, fat, and protein could help to reduce the risk of chronic disease. The salad is a good source of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper. The study showed that the salad is good for a healthy body, hypertensive and obese patients.

Review on Environmental Effect of Biogas Production

In the study of the environmental effect of biogas production, it is essential to identify the main constituents of the biogas with a special interest biogas process system. This paper reviews the formation processes of biogas production. In this paper, the roles of biogas application were discussed to make them more suitable to the environment and human activities. Furthermore, questions related to the disposal and management of wastes which leads to serious environmental and global concerns were addressed. Although these wastes offer abundant resources: large proportions of the wastes are biodegradable materials and can be efficiently used in producing biogas, which can serve as an answer to the greenhouse gas problem but also inappropriate controlling of the wastes will lead to the rise of greenhouse gas in the environment.

Application of Steam Enhanced Extraction Method on BTEX Contaminated Soil in A Nigerian Petroleum Depot and Automobile Workshop Sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria

The contamination of soil in the environment is a natural consequence of industrialization and urbanization. Organic chemical pollutants dissolve into groundwater, absorb and adsorb into soil grains. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are major causes of contaminated soil. This is due to fuel leakages or spillages, various forms of hydrocarbon burning/combustion and land disposal petroleum base oil. Contaminated soil samples were excavated from two different locations within the Ilorin metropolis; pipelines and products marketing company, a Nigerian petroleum depot, Ilorin depot and auto mechanic workshop of over ten years. Steam enhanced extraction method was employed through injection of steam to contaminated soil from steam generator into soil pot where contaminated soil was placed. The condensation of steam on soil particles provides energy to release desorbed contaminants molecules from the soil and the mobilized contaminants vapor was transferred into the recovery pot via the pipe that was connected to the soil pot. After the remediation process, the steamed soil samples were taken to the laboratory where the sonication extraction technique was used to extract the contaminants (BTEX) from the steamed soil samples of 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively. The extract from the steamed soil samples of 30, 60 and 90 minutes was subjected to Gas Chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector analysis to determine the exact amount of BTEX removed after the remediation process. Pre-treated soil sample of auto mechanics workshop was found to be 4.5004 x 10-1 mg/kg and post-treated soil samples were found to be 1.8164 x10-1 mg/kg, 8.7519 x10-1 mg/kg and 5.7006 x10-2 mg/kg for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively after remediation process while Pre-treated soil sample of a Nigerian petroleum depot was found to be 6.6049 x 10-1 mg/kg and post-treated soil samples were found to be 2.9320 x10-1 mg/kg, 1.9855 x10-1 mg/kg and 1.0237 x10-1 mg/kg for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively after the remediation process. This study established the effectiveness of the remediation process of hydrocarbon contaminated soil using steam enhanced extraction method an In situ remediation technique.

A Brief Overview of the Integrated Fish Farming of Three Commercially Popular Fish Species (Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish) in Malaysia

Aquaculture industry in Malaysia involves culture of many fish species of either fresh or brackish water origin and among the important fish species are Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish. There is a substantial culture of these fish in Malaysia nowadays, though there are not one hundred percent native fish species but their presence in Malaysia is getting closer to over several decades and for almost a decade now, these species had been among the highest finfish produced in either fresh or brackish waters. As the global aquaculture production continue growing in order to meet up with ever increasing fish demand, especially as fish from capture has levelled off and makes an increase in aquaculture production as the only hope to meet the demand for fish, one of suggested ways in culturing them is by venturing into integrated fish farming. Integrated fish farming of different species is a practice which links together two or more normally separate farming systems, whereby the fish from different species become subsystems of a whole farming system. Although integrated fish farming may not be huge globally based on the available official statistical data but it is becoming important industry in Malaysia and neighboring countries. This review discussed briefly about the integrated fish farming of three commercially popular species (Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish) in Malaysia and neighboring countries.