Waste-Derived Siliceous Materials as a Novel Sorbent for Removal of Ni2+ from Aqueous Solutions

In the present study, the preparation of sorbent from waste-derived siliceous materials has been investigated for the removal of nickel ion (Ni²⁺) from aqueous solutions. Three types of ashes, i.e., rice husk ash (RHA), palm oil fuel ash (PFA), and coal fly ash (CFA), were used in the preparation of sorbent. Batch studies were carried out to examine the effect of various experimental parameters, i.e., RHA/CFA/PFA ratio in the sorbent preparation, contact time, initial concentration of Ni²⁺, agitation rate, and pH. Among all the ratios of the prepared sorbent, it was found that sorbent containing RHA and PFA gave the highest Ni²⁺ removal efficiency. The optimum conditions for Ni²⁺ removal using RHA/PFA sorbent were obtained at contact time of 30?min, Ni²⁺ concentration of 100?mg/L, agitation rate of 130?rpm, and pH?4. During the optimum condition, more than 90% of Ni²⁺ could be removed in all experiment studies. It was also found that the spent RHA/PFA sorbents had a narrow range of particle size distributions as compared to prepared RHA/PFA sorbent. In addition, the surface morphology of the spent RHA/PFA sorbents had more compact structures.     

Botanical composition and models of metabolizable energy availability from undergrowth in oil palm plantations for ruminant production

The availability of undergrowth is essential for integrating ruminant animals into oil palm plantations. This is because undergrowth can be used as a feed resource for ruminants. This type of production system has the advantage of diversifying income and controlling weeds in the plantation. At least fve botanical groups of herbage can be found in oil palm plantations, namely, grasses, broad leaved plants, legumes, ferns and palms. Grasses were found in abundant through all palm ages. Most grasses are tolerant to higher light intensity and some are shade-tolerant. This study showed that in the early stages of oil palm crop development, sun-loving species tend to dominate the field, mostly broad leaves and legumes, but they will gradually be replaced by shade-tolerant plants when the canopies close. Concentration of metabolizable energy in herbage on offer was 4.6 to 7.0 MJ/kg dry matter. Crude protein content of grasses, broad leaves, legumes, ferns and palms are 11.5%, 15.4%, 16.3%, 12.5% and 12.0%, respectively. Ruminant animals preferred broad leaved plants more than other botanical groups found in oil palm plantation. This paper showed that metabolizable energy available (MEA) models can be used for predicting available energy (MJ/ha/day) from the system for grazing ruminants. This is because MEA model was developed based on both quality and quantity of herbage present in the ecosystem.     

Flexural and impact properties of chemically treated sugar palm fiber reinforced high impact polystyrene composites

The effects of chemical treatment on the flexural and impact properties of sugar palm fiber reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites were studied. Two types of concentration of alkali solution (4 % and 6 %) and also two types of percentage of compatibilizing agent (2 % and 3 %) have been used in this study. The alkaline treatment is carried out by immersing the fibers in 4 % and 6 % of alkali solution for 1 hour. A 40 wt. % of alkali treated sugar palm fiber (SPF) was blended with HIPS using Brabender machine at temperature of 165 °C. The second treatment was employed by compounding mixture of sugar palm fibers and HIPS with 2 and 3 % of compatibilizing agent using the same procedure. The composites plate with dimensions of 150×150×3 mm was produced by using the hot press machine. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of composites were measured and the values were compared to the untreated composites. Improvement of the mechanical properties of the composites has been shown successfully. Alkali treatment using 6 % NaOH solution improve the flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the composites as amount 12 %, 19 % and 34 % respectively, whereas compatibilizing agent treatment only showed the improvement on the impact strength, i.e. 6 % and 16 % improvement for 2 % and 3 % MAH respectively.     

Browsing preference and ecological carrying capacity of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brookei) on secondary vegetation in forest plantation

The browsing preference and ecological carrying capacity (ECC) of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brookei) in acacia plantations for management and conservation of the ecosystem were investigated at Sabal Forest Reserve in Sarawak, Malaysia. The identification of the species browsed by the sambar deer was based on an observation of the plant parts consumed. ECC estimation was based on body weight (BW) and the physiological stages of animals browsed in six fenced 4‐ha paddocks. Sambar deer were found foraging on only 29 out of 42 species of secondary vegetation in the acacia plantation. The remaining species are too high for the deer to reach. Planted species, Shorea macrophylla are not palatable to the deer. This augurs well for the integration of sambar deer into shorea plantations. The most frequently exploited plants were Ficus spp. Sambar deer preferred woody species more than non‐woody species and they are browser animals. By producing metabolizable energy of 19 000 to 27 000 MJ/ha, the ECC was five head/ha to 5.25 head/ha. Given its contribution to the conservation of wildlife and its capacity to sustain the ecosystem, the sambar deer integrated farming system offers a promising strategy for the future of tropical forestry management.     

Growth and reproductive performance of sambar deer in Sabal Forest Reserve of Sarawak, Malaysia

We examined the growth, reproduction, rutting behavior, and health status of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brookei) in secondary Acacia mangium plantation. The data were collected over 11 years from a breeding herd of 21 stags and 33 hinds in Sabal Forest Reserve, Sarawak, Malaysia. Brody’s growth model of the pooled data is Y _t ?=?148.56 (1???0.98e^?0.023t ), which estimates that maximum weights of adults are 184 and 115 kg for males and females respectively. Sambar deer are nonseasonal breeders with the breeding peak in February. Although the earliest age at which a female reached sexual maturity was 11 months, the mean age was 23?±?7 months. Mean age of first fawning was 32?±?8 months. Mean gestation period was 259?±?12 days (n?=?82). Stags shed antlers mostly between March and July. Velvet hardens at 103?±?27 days (n?=?23), and velvet harvesting is best at 7–9 weeks when antler length is 25–30 cm. Sambar deer are suitable as a farm species in forest plantations and have a vast potential to uplift rural living standards.     

Growth,biochemical composition,innate immunity and histological performance of the juvenile humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) after treatment with recombinant fish growth hormone

Humpback grouper take a long time to grow to marketable size. In this study, recombinant Epinephelus lanceolatus growth hormone (rElGH) was applied orally and by intraperitoneal injection to accelerate their growth. Daily application of crude rElGH at a dose of 50 mg kg^?1 in commercial diet for 42 days or with injections of 0.2 μg rElGH g^?1 total body weight every 2 weeks resulted in significant increases in growth performance, protein and lipid content, plasma glucose, liver glycogen and innate immunity compared to control groups. Relative weight gain from the oral and injection doses above compared to C? (Control negative, only commercial diet without rElGH treatment or chemical substances related to treatment, either for oral or injection route) were 40.25% and 38.77%, respectively. There was no specific histological damage to the kidneys, liver or spleen that was attributable to rElGH administration. These results strongly suggested that the stimulation of growth and immunity following oral and intraperitoneal administration was due to a specific action of rElGH and that recombinant GH is safe for fish consumption.     

Epidemiology of Trypanosoma evansi Infection in Crossbred Dairy Cattle in Malaysia

An investigation into the epidemiology of Trypansoma evansi infection in crossbred dairy cattle was conducted for a period of 12 months on a dairy cattle farm in Penninsular Malaysia. The prevalence of parasitaemia was highest in lactating animals (13.4%), followed by those in the dry herd (8.8%), late pregnant animals (8.1%), early pregnant animals (4.7%), calves (0.3%) and heifers (0.2%). The prevalence of antigenaemia was highest in the lactating animals (54.7%), followed by that in dry animals (53.7%), heifers (51.1%), late pregnant animals (47.7%), early pregnant animals (46.5%) and calves (24.2%).