Borneo Science | The Journal of Science and Technology

Sustainable Paper from Agricultural Waste: A Study on Pineapple Leaf Fiber Using Organosolv Pulping

Sabrina Soloi, Yasyfin Intan Nur Baiduri Roslan , ISMAWATI PALLE — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The use of non-wood fiber sourced from agricultural waste for papermaking has attracted the interest of many researchers. In this study, paper made from pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was developed using environmentally friendly approaches. This study aimed to prepare PALF paper using organosolv pulping with acetic acid (AcOH) and the aid of 0.1% hydrochloric acid as a catalyst. The PALF was treated with varying AcOH concentrations (16%, 20%, 24%, 28%, and 32%) for 9 h to study the effectiveness of delignification in producing high-quality pulp. Additionally, the morphological and mechanical properties of the PALF paper were characterized to analyze its potential as a quality paper. The study discovered that organosolv pulping could produce fibers that can be made into paper with properties comparable to those produced by other conventional methods. Based on Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) analysis, the emergence of cellulose-associated peaks and the reduced intensities of peaks attributed to lignin and hemicellulose suggest effective delignification. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that the treated PALF consists of well-separated cellulosic microfibrils. Meanwhile, mechanical analysis using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) showed that the tensile strength of the papers (0.25, 0.23, 0.27, 0.20, and 0.19 MPa varied, while the tearing resistance showed an increasing trend (2.07, 5.15, 6.86, 10.03, and 11.1 mN·m²/g) with increasing AcOH concentration. These findings suggest that PALF is a viable alternative for sustainable paper production.

ORCHIDACEAE IN AYER HITAM UTARA, LAST REMAINING PEAT SWAMP FOREST IN JOHOR, MALAYSIA

Liyana Nasir, Dr. Brian — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Ayer Hitam Utara Forest Reserve is the last remaining peat swamp forest in Johor, south Peninsular Malaysia and represents a critical refuge for biodiversity, including the diversity of Orchidaceae. However, the peat swamp forest is exposed to various threats and pressures from land-use changes, forest fires and drainage activities. Monitoring of biodiversity and conservation measures are urgently needed to preserve Johor’s largest and only remaining peat swamp forest and indirectly its orchid diversity. This study aims to document the diversity of orchid species within the forest reserve and evaluate in terms of conservation aspects and concerns. Field survey were conducted using purposive sampling methods and species were identified according to morphological and taxonomic analyses. A total of 55 orchid species from 31 genera and four subfamilies, including three species endemic to Malaysia and one species endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. Results highlights the diversity significance of orchids in Johor’s peat swamp forests, contributing valuable insights into their ecological and habitat preferences. This study provides additional data to further understand regional biodiversity patterns, taxonomic significance and highlights the importance of incorporating orchid conservation in peat swamp forest management strategies.

SEMI-PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL CANCER DATA: A SINGLE-CENTRE STUDY

Nurliyana Juhan, Yong Zulina Zubairi, Agnes Ayang Kenyang — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

In women, cervical cancer ranks fourth in terms of mortality and is the third most prevalent disease. It remains to be a great concern among clinicians in Malaysia, yet published works on the survival of cervical cancer patients are somewhat scarce. Thus, this study aims to identify the prognostic factors that significantly affect the risk of death of cervical cancer patients using the semi-parametric Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. This study commenced with the univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, followed by the proportional hazards assumption test for the preliminary final model. Data on cervical cancer patients treated at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) between 2013 and 2017 was utilised. In the univariate analysis, stage at diagnosis and primary treatment were found to be statistically significant at the 5% level of significance. In the multivariate analysis, histologic type, stage at diagnosis, and distant metastasis were found to be statistically significant. The proportional hazards assumption for each variable in the preliminary final model is tested based on the scaled Schoenfeld residuals. Accordingly, this study showed that patients with stage III–IV adenocarcinoma-type cervical cancer treated at HUSM have the highest likelihood of death from the disease.

ASSESSING CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEGRADATION IN EMISSION REDUCTION: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CO, THC, AND NOx ACROSS MILEAGE, ENGINE CAPACITY, AND TRANSMISSION TYPE

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Environmental problems are a global concern, prompting all countries to implement increasingly strict emission regulations. For motorized vehicles with combustion engines, exhaust emissions are a primary concern. Catalytic converters in gasoline-powered cars are designed to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (THC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) throughout the vehicle's operational lifespan. This study evaluates the emission performance of various catalytic converter types after prolonged use.

In this study, a comprehensive analysis was performed on 20 passenger vehicles from different models, such as AMPV, BMPV, SUV, and Van that varied in catalytic converter type, engine capacity, transmission model, and mileage. Emission tests were conducted using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) method to assess compliance with both Indonesian regulations and EURO-4 standards. This study presents differences in performance between types of catalytic converters regarding CO, THC, and NOx emissions. In particular, type D catalytic converters exhibited the lowest CO emissions, while type B showed higher average CO and NOx emissions compared to the other types. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistically showed across all converter types significant differences in THC emissions (p < 0.05), but no significant differences in CO and NOx emissions (p > 0.05).

We found that catalytic converter Type D performed better in reducing CO and THC emissions, although it did not significantly reduce NOx emissions compared to other types. Consequently, Type D is recommended for optimal emission reduction. Conversely, Type B requires further investigation due to its higher emission levels over time. Materials like alumina, cerium oxide, and zirconia are typically used in wash coats to improve catalytic oxidation and reduce THC emissions. The exact impact on THC reduction depends not only on the choice of wash coat material but also on the catalyst formulation and engine conditions. Enhanced performance can be achieved by combining these materials with the appropriate active metals, optimizing conditions for hydrocarbon oxidation. Future research should explore the performance of catalytic converters concerning the detailed composition and structure of the substrate material and wash coat. Additionally, vehicle operational variables and periodic maintenance should be considered as factors that influence performance.

IN SILICO ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURE MODELLING OF GaHP2, A CONSERVED HYPOTHETICAL PROTEINS RELATED TO THERMAL STRESS RESPONSE IN GLACIOZYMA ANTARCTICA PI12

makdi masnoddin, Professor Dr, Dr — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The genomic data of the native Antarctic yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica PI12, has garnered attention due to its distinctive thermal adaptation. Nonetheless, a significant percentage of the proteins associated with thermal stress adaptation were identified as conserved hypothetical proteins (HPs), suggesting that these proteins have not yet been characterised through experimentation. Consequently, this research aims to determine the structural characteristics of GaHP2, a conserved HP previously shown to be involved in the thermal stress response. Functional annotation, physicochemical analysis, homology modelling and structure validation, and superimposition of models were employed to analyse the gene using computational tools such as NCBI BLAST, InterProScan, Expasy's ProtParam, Phyre2, AlphaFold2, ModRefiner, and UCSF Chimera. The results indicated that the homology modelling approach effectively generated reliable 3D models of GaHP2. On the basis of the high confidence score (PROCHECK), stereochemical quality (VERIFY3D), energy of the protein chain (ANOLEA), and RMSD of 0.540 Å, the proposed model was assessed as reliable. One interesting finding of the study was the correlation between the presence of aromatic clusters in GaHP2 and its stability at higher temperatures. The GaHP2 protein was also found to contain domains that encoded oxygen-binding and/or oxygen-transporting globins, as indicated by functional analysis. This suggests that these proteins were involved in the adaptation to the cold, where oxygen levels were relatively low. This research illustrates that thermal stress proteins may possess distinctive structural flexibility and stability that enable them to function under thermal stress, thereby safeguarding host organisms from heat aggregation and cold denaturation.

STAKEHOLDER PREPAREDNESS IN NATURE-BASED TOURISM GOVERNANCE

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Nature-based tourism and recreation destinations present substantial challenges to the safety, sustainability, and resiliency of these ecosystems due to their inherent vulnerability to natural disasters. This systematic literature review (SLR) provides a descriptive overview of the current research landscape and identifies trends in NBT disaster preparedness. We looked through scholarly databases for publications on disaster preparedness in NBT that were published between 2006 and 2022. A PSALSAR framework was utilized in the review process to identify, screen, and select the pertinent studies. The inclusion criteria were met by 37 peer-reviewed articles. Throughout the included publication span, our frequency analysis showed a trend of growing research attention on disaster preparedness in NBT. The predominant research approaches employed were qualitative in nature, emphasizing the comprehension of stakeholder viewpoints through interviews and focus groups. Most of the NBT scholars cover climate-related disasters, which overlooked the non-climate disaster studies. Data availability and quality were identified as the predominant limitations of the studies being reviewed. Regarding the stakeholder focus, the literature primarily emphasized on NBT operators in terms of their capacities, challenges, and disaster preparedness measures. This review identifies opportunities for future research to develop a more comprehensive and holistic research, highlighting the growing significance of disaster preparedness in NBT.

COMPARATIVE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NEOLAMARCKIA CADAMBA ROXB. BOSSER (WHITE LARAN) UNDER DIFFERENT SITE CONDITIONS IN FOREST PLANTATION AT JAWALA PLANTATION INDUSTRY, SAPULUT FOREST RESERVE, NABAWAN

Walter Lintangah, Mrs, McRoland Guntavid, Abdul Razak Tarip — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This study investigated the growth of Neolarmakia cadamba Roxb Bosser (White Laran) under various site conditions characterized by different elevations, slopes, distances from roads, and forest fringe. Plots that meet the criteria were established in two distinct areas, one year and five years old, of planted N cadamba trees. The study shows that the growth of one-year-old planted trees at a higher elevation with a flat area shows a higher mean diameter of breast height (DBH), mean total height, and volume compared to those planted at a lower elevation with a hilly area. Meanwhile, the mean DBH and total height of five-year-old planted trees are higher in flat areas adjacent to the roadside and forest fringe. Kruskal-Wallis test that compared the plots shows a significant difference in DBH, Height, and Volume with p<0.05. This study indicates differences in the growth of N. cadamba based on varied site conditions of slope, altitude, and distance from the roadside and forest fringe, which could be attributed to nutrition and light penetration under different site conditions. This study could induce more studies in the relevant field, especially concerning the recommendation and prediction for any treatment during the early growth phase of the species in different site conditions.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF COERCIVITY MEASUREMENTS IN THE LIFT OF EFFECT FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING METHOD

Fauziah Sulaiman, Mr., Dr. — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Coercivity is the strength of the reverse magnetic field required to demagnetise a material after saturation which is a crucial indicator of the hardness of magnetic materials. However, errors in coercivity measurement known as the lift-off effect can be caused by air gaps. This paper investigates the literature on the gap between novel methods to tackle this issue. There was literature reporting that by integrating additional inductance measurements and developing a calibration method, it aim to mitigate the impact of air gaps. The rationale behind this calibration method is that changes in air gaps affect both coercivity and inductance measurements. Therefore, the need for a systematic literature review is crucial to synthesise empirical data on using or implementing these methods. This paper attempts to identify the trends and the focus in the field of study which is a key step in advancing our understanding of the topic. The study utilised the Science Direct, Scopus, and ProQuest based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). From the 136 documents that was fitted under the keywords - lift-off effect, coercivity measurement, magnetic materials and non-destructive testing from 2014 to 2024, only 17 original articles were published. The findings reveal that the United Kingdom is the dominant country in conducting reducing the lift-off effect on magnetic plates papers. Followed by The United States-Korea and finally is Poland. The research samples were also more focused on auxiliary inductance data, multifrequency induction data, testing of metallic spherical geometry, sensors based on their equivalent parameters, and using fibre optic Eddy current sensors to detect defects in the magnetic material. Therefore, this shows a clear gap between the present research and its future direction.

INSECTS AS NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE FOOD AND TOURISM INDUSTRY: FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL

Mahadimenakbar bin Mohamed Dawood, Fiffy Hanisdah binti Saikim — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This paper highlights insects as natural resources for food and attractions in the nature tourism industry. We analyse the subjects from a global perspective and compare them locally. Edible insects have been proposed as a more environmentally sustainable and nutritious alternative to conventional livestock. The identification of over 2000 edible insect species has firmly entrenched entomophagy as a widely accepted practice across various regions in Africa, America, and Asia. With the burgeoning global population and diminishing agricultural land, the current practice of relying on domesticated animal protein is incontrovertibly unsustainable. Insects, on the other hand, unequivocally emerge as a viable solution. Their ability to be raised in large numbers in a smaller area, rapid growth, and minimal resource requirements firmly establish them as a sustainable source of nutrition. In addition to their role as a sustainable food source, certain insects, notably fireflies and butterflies, unequivocally contribute to the nature tourism industry by attractively drawing in tourists and substantially benefiting local populations. The potential for economic growth and development in the tourism industry is significant. Entomotourism, particularly in Sabah, Malaysia, is incontrovertibly gaining momentum, with firefly-watching activities notably propelling significant revenue generation. Undeniably, the significance of insects as both a fundamental component of food security and as alluring attractions in the nature tourism industry cannot be overstated.