Universiti Sains Malaysia

About: Universiti Sains Malaysia is a education organization based out in George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Ring (chemistry). The organization has 23231 authors who have published 39356 publications receiving 655434 citations. The organization is also known as: USM & University of Science, Malaysia.

Genome-wide association study identifies five new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma

Abstract: Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by replication in a combined total of 10,503 PACG cases and 29,567 controls drawn from 24 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. We observed significant evidence of disease association at five new genetic loci upon meta-analysis of all patient collections. These loci are at EPDR1 rs3816415 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, P = 5.94 × 10(-15)), CHAT rs1258267 (OR = 1.22, P = 2.85 × 10(-16)), GLIS3 rs736893 (OR = 1.18, P = 1.43 × 10(-14)), FERMT2 rs7494379 (OR = 1.14, P = 3.43 × 10(-11)), and DPM2-FAM102A rs3739821 (OR = 1.15, P = 8.32 × 10(-12)). We also confirmed significant association at three previously described loci (P < 5 × 10(-8) for each sentinel SNP at PLEKHA7, COL11A1, and PCMTD1-ST18), providing new insights into the biology of PACG.

A Novel Optical Complex between an Organic Substrate and a Polyoxometalate. Crystal and Molecular Structure of α-H4SiW12O40·4HMPA·2H2O (HMPA = Hexamethylphosphoramide)

Abstract: A solvated complex of α-H4SiW12O40·4HMPA·2H2O composed the heteropolytungstate α-H4SiW12O40 and the organic substrate hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) has been synthesised, purified, and characterized. The electronic spectra (λ = 220−500 nm) as well as the 1H NMR spectra for the title compound dissolved in CD3CN establish that this complex dissociates into free SiW12O404- and HMPA moieties in solution unless the organic substrate HMPA is present in very high concentrations. The solid reflectance electronic spectra and IR spectra indicate that there is interaction between the α-H4SiW12O40 and the organic substrate. The complex has no photosensitivity under irradiation of sunlight, but under the near-UV light result in a charge transfer by oxidation of the HMPA and the reduction of the polyoxometalate. Light yellow polyhedrons of the title compound crystallize from the aqueous solvent of acetonitrile and aqueous solution as the formula of α-H4SiW12O40·4HMPA·2H2O in the monoclinic, space group P21. The unit ce...

Physical properties of fish gelatin-based bio-nanocomposite films incorporated with ZnO nanorods.

Abstract: Well-dispersed fish gelatin-based nanocomposites were prepared by adding ZnO nanorods (NRs) as fillers to aqueous gelatin. The effects of ZnO NR fillers on the mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of fish gelatin bio-nanocomposite films were investigated. Results showed an increase in Young's modulus and tensile strength of 42% and 25% for nanocomposites incorporated with 5% ZnO NRs, respectively, compared with unfilled gelatin-based films. UV transmission decreased to zero with the addition of a small amount of ZnO NRs in the biopolymer matrix. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in the intensity of the crystal facets of (10ī1) and (0002) with the addition of ZnO NRs in the biocomposite matrix. The surface topography of the fish gelatin films indicated an increase in surface roughness with increasing ZnO NR concentrations. The conductivity of the films also significantly increased with the addition of ZnO NRs. These results indicated that bio-nanocomposites based on ZnO NRs had great potentials for applications in packaging technology, food preservation, and UV-shielding systems.

Optimized preparation for large surface area activated carbon from date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) stone biomass

Abstract: The preparation of activated carbon from date stone treated with phosphoric acid was optimized using rotatable central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM). The chemical activating agent concentration and temperature of activation plays a crucial role in preparation of large surface area activated carbons. The optimized activated carbon was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the larger surface area of activated carbon from date stone can be achieved under optimum activating agent (phosphoric acid) concentration, 50.0% (8.674 mol L−1) and activation temperature, 900 °C. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of optimized activated carbon was found to be 1225 m2 g−1, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that 55.2% mass of optimized activated carbon was found thermally stable till 900 °C. The leading chemical functional groups found in the date stone activated carbon were aliphatic carboxylic acid salt ʋ(C O) 1561.22 cm−1 and 1384.52 cm−1, aliphatic hydrocarbons ʋ(C–H) 2922.99 cm−1 (C–H sym./asym. stretch frequency), aliphatic phosphates ʋ(P–O–C) 1054.09 cm−1, and secondary aliphatic alcohols ʋ(O–H) 3419.81 cm−1 and 1159.83 cm−1.